An Australian version of the acceptable noise level test and its predictive value for successful hearing aid use in an older population

Abstract

Objective: The acceptable noise level (ANL), a measure of noise tolerance, has been proposed as a predictor for successful hearing aid use. The aims of this study were to obtain normative data, and to evaluate the clinical feasibility and predictive value of an Australian version of the ANL test in an older population. Design: Repeated ANL measurements were presented diotically using earphones. All participants provided demographic information and hearing aid owners were asked about their aid use. Study sample: A total of 290 older adults were assessed; 166 participants had a hearing impairment and 96 owned a hearing aid. Results: The mean ANL was lower than previously reported. While age and gender had no effect on ANL, a significant, but weak, correlation was found between ANL and hearing loss. The test-retest reliability showed the results were clinically unreliable. In addition, the ANL did not predict hours or pattern of hearing aid use. Conclusions: While the Australian ANL test showed several similar characteristics to previous versions of the test, low test-retest reliability raised questions about its clinical value as a predictor for long-term hearing aid use.

Key Words::

• Acceptable noise level
• hearing aids
• older adults
• hearing impaired
• hearing aid use

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial support of the HEARing CRC, established and supported under the Cooperative Research Centres Program – an initiative of the Australian Government, and the financial support of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. We also like to thank Paul Mitchell and his team for adding the ANL test to the Blue Mountains Study protocol in the middle of a test phase, and for assisting with the organization of data collection and entry. Thank you to Carly Meyer for helpful suggestions on the manuscript. Findings from this study have been previously presented titled Does the Acceptable Noise Level predict hearing aid use? at the Audiology Australia XXth National Conference in Adelaide, July 2012, and the University of Queensland – Queensland Audiological Society of Australia branch meeting on October 13, 2012.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no declarations of interest.

Note

Notes

1. David Hartley: Current affiliation is Phonak, Australia